Number 7: Tales of Visperia (Xbox 360)
This is actually the game that locked in my purchase of the 360. This game didn’t disappoint. Anyone who knows me knows I hold he Tales Studio in high regard, as well as Tales of Symphoina. This was made by team Symphonia and it does not disappoint.
Everything about this game is above average: sound, music, artistic style, story, and combat system. Characters are all believable, different, well made in both design and personally. I adore Tales Studio for being able to make children actually act like children. In this game Carol was an excellent character. Like most children put into a hard situation he was scared, but always tried to hide it. And as the game progresses and event happen he eventually grows up and overcomes his fear. Very depthful (yes that’s a word now) character especially given the time they had to put on each one.
They also have believable relationships between character, even if some of them feel like wacky transplants form Symphonia. Rita and Carol act brother and sister, much like Genis and Rein. Still everything is well done, different form Symphonia, and still familiar enough so fans of the franchise will enjoy it. I didn’t expect them to deviate form the money train too much.
The combat system is really good. The AI is probably the best in the Tales series, with only a few battles where they go stupid and you have to tell them to back off. AI is very customizable, and they do a good job of keeping everyone healthy. The combat system is once again a 3D free roaming style like their other games. It handles very well.
All the different cities and designs are above average for the genre. There are many of your standard cities but a few stand out as exceptionally cool, the city protected by the Tree, Technology, Magic hybrid, and the floating city in the Jellyfish come to mind. Of course you have the usual arena, castle city, etc. but Tales studio does a good job of keeping these fresh.
The music is excellent. Always there and noticeable but not overpowering. The villains seem vile, and suspenseful events are kept perfect. I didn’t find any track annoying or too repetitive for the length of time you were in an area.
This game was also very large. There was need to go back over areas for harder boss battles, better items etc. The map wasn’t that large, but there was always just one more place on the map you could go. The boss battles were good, and the final boss battle was outright hard. I consider this RPG harder then most because I actually had to use items. And I don’t mean had to because of a quest, I mean had to or I would die. It is still a good curve and possible to beat. I did beat the end boss on my 1st try, but I did have to take my time and use the proper items and stragities.
Above average in all ways, and excellent in some. With 60 to 80 hours of game play on a 1st run, diffcult achievements, and bosses. Plenty of side quests, and secrets galore, if you liked RPGs and have a 360, you should get Tales of Vispeira.
Everything about this game is above average: sound, music, artistic style, story, and combat system. Characters are all believable, different, well made in both design and personally. I adore Tales Studio for being able to make children actually act like children. In this game Carol was an excellent character. Like most children put into a hard situation he was scared, but always tried to hide it. And as the game progresses and event happen he eventually grows up and overcomes his fear. Very depthful (yes that’s a word now) character especially given the time they had to put on each one.
They also have believable relationships between character, even if some of them feel like wacky transplants form Symphonia. Rita and Carol act brother and sister, much like Genis and Rein. Still everything is well done, different form Symphonia, and still familiar enough so fans of the franchise will enjoy it. I didn’t expect them to deviate form the money train too much.
The combat system is really good. The AI is probably the best in the Tales series, with only a few battles where they go stupid and you have to tell them to back off. AI is very customizable, and they do a good job of keeping everyone healthy. The combat system is once again a 3D free roaming style like their other games. It handles very well.
All the different cities and designs are above average for the genre. There are many of your standard cities but a few stand out as exceptionally cool, the city protected by the Tree, Technology, Magic hybrid, and the floating city in the Jellyfish come to mind. Of course you have the usual arena, castle city, etc. but Tales studio does a good job of keeping these fresh.
The music is excellent. Always there and noticeable but not overpowering. The villains seem vile, and suspenseful events are kept perfect. I didn’t find any track annoying or too repetitive for the length of time you were in an area.
This game was also very large. There was need to go back over areas for harder boss battles, better items etc. The map wasn’t that large, but there was always just one more place on the map you could go. The boss battles were good, and the final boss battle was outright hard. I consider this RPG harder then most because I actually had to use items. And I don’t mean had to because of a quest, I mean had to or I would die. It is still a good curve and possible to beat. I did beat the end boss on my 1st try, but I did have to take my time and use the proper items and stragities.
Above average in all ways, and excellent in some. With 60 to 80 hours of game play on a 1st run, diffcult achievements, and bosses. Plenty of side quests, and secrets galore, if you liked RPGs and have a 360, you should get Tales of Vispeira.